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About this quote

What does it mean?
Sexual education is natural, not perverse; it is an initiation rather than corruption.
In plain terms
Teaching youth about sex is good, not bad.
What can you take from it?
Approach sexuality without shame.

Where it applies

  • parenting
  • sex ed
  • social norms

Putting it to work

  • normalize healthy dialogue
  • challenge stigma

Questions to consider

  • What defines corruption?
  • How should we teach youth?

Another view

Not all forms of initiation are appropriate for all ages.

More from Andre Gide

  1. One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.

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  2. So long as we live among men, let us cherish humanity.

    Permalink to quote #36
  3. Obtain from yourself all that makes complaining useless. No longer implore from others what you yourself can obtain.

    Permalink to quote #33

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